Improved fabric for making imitation lace



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY LOEWENBERG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVED FABRIC FOR MAKING IMITATION LACE, 800.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 10,633, dated November 17, 1863.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY LOEWENBERG, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Substitute for Lace, Embroidery, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The object of this invention is to produce a fabric which, when properly prepared or pressed, will form an imitation for lace and otbercollars, embroidery, braiding, trimmings, straw, and other goods.

The invention consists in a fabric composed of muslin or other textile fabric treated with a solution of silicate of potash or soda, commonly known as soluble glass, together with two sheets of paper, one on either side of the muslin,said paper being drawn through the solution of the silicate and spread on the muslin and pressed before being perfectly dry in such a manner that by the soluble glass the muslin and paper are firmly glued together, and a fabric is produced which can be pressed into any desirable shape, and which is water-proof, so that it can be washed with a sponge without the least injury.

To enable those skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe it.

I take a piece of muslin or other textile fabric, fine or coarse, according to the fabric to be produced, and draw it through a solution of silicate of potash or soda. I then take two sheets of common paper, treat them with soluble glass by drawing them through a solution of the same or'spr'eading the solution on the sheets by revolving brushes and spread them |on the muslin.

compressed, and by the action of the soluble glass they adhere to each other, so as to produce one solid sheet. The soluble glass renders the fabric perfectly water-proof, so thatit can be washed off with a sponge without injury. The surface remains perfectly white, no paste is required to stick the several sheets together, and no varnish to render the fabric Water-proof. By using the soluble glass in treating the muslin and paper a fabric can be produced with a dull surface without gloss, so that the same, when properly pressed, will be a close imitation of lace, and can be used as a substitute for lace collars, cuffs, and also for embroidery, trimmings, braiding, or other similar goods. When desired, however, the surface may be rendered glossy by varnishing or other means, and an imitation of straw and other goods be produced.

For the purpose of producing an imitation oflaceI subject my fabric to the action ofsuitable dies before the same'is perfectly dry, and I obtain a fabric which can be used With advantage as a substitute for lace collars and other similar articles, being superior to real lace in its great cheapuess, and in that it can be cleaned simply by washing with a sponge.

Whatl claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A fabric obtained by treating muslin and paper with soluble glass, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as specified.

. HENRY LOEWENBERG.

Witnesses:

R013. H. LOUDEN, GEO. W. REED.

The sheets are now firmly 

